Summer Foundation CEO Dr Di Winkler and La Trobe University’s Professor Jacinta Douglas explore questions around the NDIS Review recommendations in their latest article for The Conversation.
Proposed legislation that delivers fair, flexible and consistent funding would contribute to the sustainability of the scheme by enabling participants to adjust their supports, save and roll over funds. The legislation also includes ways people with disability may be afforded housing rights most people take for granted, such as choosing a home and housemates.
Dr Winkler and Professor Douglas argue that policy makers have incorrectly assumed people with disability need to live together for efficiencies to be made. The recommendation of 1 support worker to 3 participants has worried the disability community and there are concerns this will be used to reduce the cost of NDIS plans.
Innovation to redesign services and build contemporary disability housing is urgently needed to increase the quality and reduce the cost of support.
Research has already shown that co-located single occupant housing positively impacts wellbeing, community integration and independence. Better data on housing and support needs and preferences for people who require 24/7 support is needed to foster a user-driven market.
This data could inform NDIS policy that incentivises user-led services that will improve quality, efficiencies and outcomes for NDIS participants.
You can read the full article here.